DISCUSSION -- July 2015 300-word Writing Challenge (#18)

Thanks, CC for the almost vote :)

The ones I really really liked:

Jo Zebbedee - Le Scorpion
Phyrebat - What Little Girls are Made of
The Storyteller - Extermination
Kerrybuchanan - Cornucopia
Moonbat - The In-Screwed-Temo-Mental Blues

The one I would have voted for if only I had an extra vote:

Holland - Searching for Emma

The ones I liked so much I voted for them :):

Remedy -Charlie
Void -MMORPG
Victoria Silverwolf - Pipedreams
 
TheDustyZebra – Budding Enterprise

In TDZ’s botanical offering we meet the mind of a tree, a nymph, and what a brilliant place to spend 300 words. Filling us with empathy as the speechless plant fights for the rights of nature, we expect the worst. Yet, a look in the mirror doesn’t always give a bad reflection. Intelligent Insight

Moonbat – The In-Screwed-Tempo-Mental Blues

Three solid paragraphs of percussive production. MB’s intense language harmonises with the well-formed character, a musician willing to go to any lengths to master his art. Our heart-strings get plucked near to snapping as regret and longing sound out the end. Resonant Rebirth

The Judge – The Silver Sweetbriar

Part parable, part fairy tale – TJ tells this powerful story. A creator and his creations deeply connected in every facet of his life. Bright imagery of moving silver runs adjacent the fluid progression of plot. Molten Masterpiece

Fitzchiv – Guilt

Fitzchiv’s far-out concept is gripping from start to end. Awesome scale looms with the approaching Guilt and then zooms in rapidly for the human reaction; captured gracefully with a macro lens. Galvanised Giant

Ursa Major – Decision Tree

Ursa’s original invention is delivered skilfully here with great timing and thought-provoking depth. Clear descriptions bring the Decision Tree to life as we move through the atrium and uncover the mystery of its design. Prophetic Precipice
 
Thank you, HazelRah.

I think people might look at mine and wonder where the speculative elements were. Reading it for the poll along with the others, there are none. Um.... Could it be formally disregarded? :D

(I think there were some and then I edited it down, but sometimes I forget with the 300 - and the 75 for that matter - and go all kitten with a string like over the picture. Look, see - pretty, pretty....:D)
 
Jo Zebedee said:
Thank you, HazelRah.

I think people might look at mine and wonder where the speculative elements were. Reading it for the poll along with the others, there are none. Um.... Could it be formally disregarded? :D

(I think there were some and then I edited it down, but sometimes I forget with the 300 - and the 75 for that matter - and go all kitten with a string like over the picture. Look, see - pretty, pretty....:D)
Click to expand...

Hush, it's plenty speccy :) How many Nisi's end in reconciliaiton? I used to work in the Courts... not many ;)

pH
 
Jo Zebedee said:
sometimes I forget with the 300 - and the 75 for that matter - and go all kitten with a string like over the picture. Look, see - pretty, pretty....:D)
Click to expand...

Oh yes. I can relate to that! Especially with the 300 when I only see the picture and totally forget to read the accompanying text (apologies to the mods who painstakingly typed, or at least copied and pasted, said text!).
 
Votes: A Fare Wells Sancho & Tim James

Honourable mentions:
Phyre
The Judge
Drof
Will
Alice

Loved the challenge! Look forward to the next one. Well done everybody who entered lots of wonderful stories. Ya'll give yourselves a lil' pat on the back :D
 
Phew! That was hard! But I finally got it done. As per usual, excellent stories all around!

Long List:

-Droflet: Entanglement
An interesting and well-written tale! I like the way we get to see the transition of the aliens over time.
-Ursa Major: Decision Tree
I liked the idea, and thought the ending was perfect.
-HazelRah: The General’s Plan
I enjoyed reading a story about furries instead of humans, but the winning element was the transition from a military type environment to the final line that they are making art! That made me smile, and is definitely worth a mention.
-Rafellin: They Think It’s Art
I enjoyed the descriptions in this one, particularly in showing how humans reacted to the mysterious ‘art piece’.
-Mosaix: Moving On…
I liked the idea, and the ending was particularly strong.
-johnnyjet: Guts and Glory
An interesting idea; I liked the portrayal of the A.I. and it’s ‘take over’.
-Ihe: Escape Out of Steelbark
A very sad story that got me invested in the protagonists’ plight. Some very beautiful imagery in this one. Well done!

Short List: (Er, well, a long short list!)

-Remedy: Charlie
Definitely captures the challenge picture to a tee! I liked the friendship between the MC and Charlie, and would love to spend more time with these characters. Very well-written!
-TitaniumTi: No Title
A beautifully sad story about a family in the midst of a tragedy. While there is clearly a bigger picture at work, we are drawn into our main character’s personal heartbreak. I love the way you brought to life the closeness of family. Well-written, good idea, sad and memorable. Well done!
-Cascade: They don’t grow on trees.
A wonderfully creative idea! I loved the idea of the crops, the dialogue between the brothers, and the feel of normal farming in a very abnormal setting. Creative, interesting, funny and well-written.
-Sancho: Saint Peter of Tau Ceti e
An intriguing world is created, and I found myself wanting to spend more time in it and with its characters.
-Mr Orange: herba ferrocia
A very good balance is struck between the voices and the narrative, keeping me intrigued and giving this story a good pace. It showed a good progression, and made for an excellent story!
-Moonbat: The In-Screwed-Tempo-Mental Blues
A fascinating story. The descriptions were so intriguing and imaginative that I lost myself in the story. I really enjoyed it!
-Cat’s Cradle: On the Tempting of a Practitioner of Social Engineering, and His Response to Same (An Exercise in Excess)
In a challenge where everyone is trying to cut down words in every possible spot and avoid any descriptions that would eat up the word count, CC intentionally uses these 300 words to craft a vivid, descriptive tale… an exercise in excess! It was refreshingly unique, and while the added descriptors left less room for story, an interesting and fulfilling story still took place. A very satisfying ending!
-Venusian Broon: A Lifting of the Veil.
A very interesting world is created, and one that I would have loved to spend more time in! I like the dialogue/interactions between the MC and the dark haired girl.
-Victoria Silverwolf: Pipe Dreams
Lovely writing, as per usual! I always enjoy when something mundane is used to create something interesting and unexpected, so I loved the mysterious plumber who just arrives where needed and knows how to listen to the water!
-holland: Searching for Emma
Intriguing rhyme pattern; very clever and well-executed. It can be difficult to create a moving story when restricted by a tricky rhyme pattern, but this story manages it perfectly!

The Finalists!

5th Place: alchemist: What’s More Fearsome than a Snufflemagoo?
A delightful story on par with some of my favourite Dr. Suess! It was funny and very enjoyable to read, with excellent rhyme and meter. A very fun read! I would have loved to give this a story a vote if I had just a few more to go around!

4th Place: The Judge: The Silver Sweetbriar
It really killed me not to give this one a vote, and it took a lot of struggling and rereading stories to finally make a decision on my top three.
I very much enjoyed reading this story. There is something about it that captures the allure of all my favourite fairy tales and folk tales. A beautiful idea accompanied by a beautiful narrative. There is something special about this story! Sorry I didn't have a fourth vote to give you Judge. :(

And finally the votes:

3rd Place: Kerrybuchanan: Cornucopia
Such an interesting perspective and narrative. It was unique and interesting idea, and that idea was executed flawlessly. Well done Kerry!
2nd Place: TheDustyZebra: Budding Enterprise
A lovely story. I was invested in the MC, and enjoyed seeing the world through his/her eyes. Powerful narrative with an unexpected but satisfying ending. There was something very refreshing/satisfying about this story, and it definitely earned my vote!
1st Place: Juliana: Dragon Bones
A wonderful story! Well-written, interesting, unique… I love the idea competing apprentices and how the dragon is brought to life, the emotions that are expressed, the overall story... So yah, basically everything. It stuck out to me from the first read and only got better with rereads! Great job Juliana. :)
 
Thank you for the listing, Glen! :)

And thank you so much, Storyteller, for the listing, and the very kind review; both made me very happy. :) CC

ps--it's nice to see you back in the challenges!
 
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A really interesting month for stories.

Runners up-
Extermination- The Storyteller. Great exploration of alternate perspectives
Moving on...- Mosaix. Evocative, with perhaps the best first line I've read in a long time.

Votes-
What Little girls are Made Of- Phyrebrat. This story grabbed me the first time i read it and has stayed with me, the 'careful what you wish for' reincarnation theme is always chilling when done well and this is done well.
Snufflemagoo- Alchemist. This story deserves to be lovingly illustrated and to become the next 'Gruffalo'
The Silver Sweetbriar- The Judge. There is something beautiful about an alegorical folk tale, simply told and revealing a deeper truth. What raises this story even higher, is the silver smith's redemption. His ability to see past his own fear and xenophobia.
 
Thanks to Vas and Storyteller for the mentions. In this crowd, always a treat.
 
Another honourable mention. Thankee!
 

Many thanks for the mentions and especially the vote Vaz, Glad you liked it
 
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Ursa major said:
To be fair, the short-listed stories and the finalists are, in theory, also on the long list.


* Warning: Pedant Alert! Pedant Alert! *
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I know, I know! That's what I do...long list first, then whittle 'em down to a shorter list. Hence the anti-pedant use of the ":D"
 
As a pedant, I find myself having to point out that you'd have been better using ;) rather than (or together with) :D.

;):)
 
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